Darwin Nunez capped a memorable debut with a clinching header as Liverpool earned a 3-1 victory against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The Uruguay international nodded home from close range deep into injury time to confirm the first silverware of the season heads to Merseyside after an energetic, enthralling encounter at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first-half strike had been canceled out by Julian Alvarez with 20 minutes to go, before Mohamed Salah put the Reds back on top from the penalty spot.
It was then Nunez whose goal made sure Jurgen Klopp completed his career clean sweep of elite English domestic honors.
The new man was forced to wait for his debut, however, after being initially named on the bench, and Liverpool did not look to need him thanks to an energetic start out of the gates.
Alexander-Arnold unfurled a fabulous strike from the edge of the box in off the left post in the 21st minute, while miscued chances for City’s star buy Erling Haaland left Pep Guardiola with a frustrating first half on his hands.
The introduction of Argentina star Alvarez from the bench proved an inspired move by Spaniard Guardiola, with the former River Plate man flicking home after Phil Foden’s saved effort to level matters.
But when Ruben Dias was flagged for a handball from Nunez’s header with full-time fast approaching, Salah was able to put the Reds back on top with his low spot-kick.
Nunez’s big moment in stoppage time confirmed the result, while Haaland hit the crossbar in the dying moments to sum up his tough day at the office.
